A Member of the Libyan Parliament, Ali Al-Takbali said that “Libya is not democratic, and cannot reach democracy.”
In press statements, Al-Takbali said that “as long as the current faces are present, the Parliament and the High Council of State (HCS), elections will not be held.”
He stressed that “all of them must be removed from the scene, in order to prepare the country for real elections.”
Notably, the UN warned that Libya was at risk of partitioning since elections, which were scheduled for 24 December 2021 continue to be postponed.
Abdoulaye Bathily, the UN Envoy for Libya, said “some institutional players are actively hindering progress toward elections.”
The UN envoy added that “further prolonging the interim period will make the country even more vulnerable to political, economic, and security instability, and could put the country at risk of partition.”
”The genuine political will of these actors needs to be tested against reality, as we approach December 24th, the first anniversary of the postponement of elections and the 7th anniversary of the signing of the Libyan Political Agreement (LPA), ” Bathily said. He stated that he “shared Libyans’ concerns about delays to the long-awaited elections in a briefing to the UN Security Council”
He voiced his concerns over the lack of progress in the implementation of the 5+5 Joint Military Commission’s (JMC) action plan on the withdrawal of mercenaries, foreign fighters, and foreign forces.
“Renewed focus by the Libyan parties on kickstarting the withdrawal process in line with the action plan is required,” he noted. He urged Libyan leaders to “work with resolve toward holding elections as soon as possible.”
The UN envoy also encouraged the 15-member Security Council to “send an unequivocal message to obstructionists that their actions will not remain without consequences.”
Oil-rich Libya has remained in turmoil since 2011, when longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi was ousted after four decades in power.